STOBART DOUBLE
Stobart Motorsport celebrated a pair of rare podium finishes
with a superb performance by Ian Lougher at today’s Ulster Grand Prix.
The Irish based Welshman, who has been riding for the Stobart
Motorsport Team at all the major road races this season, secured a
second and third place finish at the event held on the Dundrod circuit
to the West of Belfast.
With record breaking crowds as well as
speeds, Lougher warmed up for today’s two Superbike races with a
battling fourth place in Thursday’s Dundrod 150 race aboard the VK and
Vent Axia backed machine.
Following on that successful outing,
Lougher took a fine third place in today’s opening Superbike race
before landing second position in the later event, which was stopped
due to rain late in the race.
Commenting on his double podium,
Lougher said “I’m happy enough with second and third position but if
I’m being honest I’m disappointed that I didn’t win because this team
deserves a victory. The bike was a lot better and the improvements we
made helped but it still wasn’t perfect, and what I’d like is to take
this bike back to the Isle of Man because it’s so much better than when
we raced it in June. But either way it’s a double podium, I’m delighted
and it’s great for Stobart Motorsport to share in this success.”
Meanwhile
team boss Paul Bird was delighted with his rider’s performance. “That’s
just the tonic that we and our sponsors needed after what has been a
very difficult season. With us only having the one BSB podium to date
it was vital that we got some more silverware, and Ian has done a
fantastic job for us all season long and he deserves his double podium
here today. Our sponsors haven’t had much to celebrate this year but
hopefully this goes some way to paying them back because the Ulster
Grand Prix is a very important race. Ian has put himself in the shop
window and we’d very much like to work with him again in a similar
capacity next year.”
Team co-ordinator Stuart Bland said “We made
some big changes to the bike after Thursday and these paid dividends
today. Whilst we’re happy with a double podium it was so close we could
have been celebrating a double win, but it’s great to see everybody in
the team back with a smile on their face.”
The team goes back
to short circuit action over the Bank Holiday weekend when regular
riders Michael Rutter and Michael Laverty hope to continue the team’s
success when round eleven of the Bennetts British Superbike
Championship gets underway at Cadwell Park.
Jester Interactive UGP Superbike Race
1, Guy Martin, 129.168mph (avg), 2, Raymond Porter, 3, Ian Lougher (Stobart Honda).
UGP Supporters’ Club Superbike Race
1, Guy Martin, 128.755mph (avg), 2, Ian Lougher (Stobart Honda), 3, Ian Hutchinson
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